This weekend saw the 1st Teams first home fixture, in the league, of 2023. Skipper Davies won a second consecutive toss which resulted in the badgers getting the first look at the middle of Mill Lane first!

Broxbourne got off to a flyer with both Dissanayake and Plumb batting fluently, the latter would go on to make a well crafted 43 before frustratingly hitting a rank full toss straight down the throat of Mid Off. This slight blip in the Broxbourne innings did not hinder the progress, Sargent would carry on in fine style and batted nicely with partners falling around him. Sargent managed his way well to a delightful 65 before forgetting to use his bat when the ball was bowled straight...! This was the 3rd wicket in quick succession and it led to a brief wobble of the Broxbourne middle order however this was swiftly managed by Brad Sayers on his league debut for the club, who stylishly dispatched the Redbourn bowling around the glorious outfield and made a crucial 50 which would boost the Broxbourne score to a very competitive 256 all out.

The second innings got off to a fabulous start for the Badgers with Tom Bolt taking the early wicket of Cutler in just the second over. This was soon followed by another wicket for Bolt trapping Roe plumb in front leaving the score at 42-2. Redbourn however made the Broxbourne bowlers toil for the next 13 overs with Hales and Pritchard putting on a well made partnership of 70 for the third wicket before an inspired bowling change from Broxbourne saw overseas seamer Murphy turn to his off spin and opened the door for the badgers with his very first ball. Murmurs were heard in the crowd suggesting it was a masterful decision from the skipper... others closer to the action referring to peer pressure..! However, this decision then led to Broxbourne piling on the pressure, following the drinks break Broxbourne upped the levels and showed a masterclass in tight bowling and fielding which stopped Redbourn in their tracks and soon led to a flurry of wickets.

With the introduction of Richardson from the Paddle Pitch End, Broxbourne were soon ripping through the middle order of the visitors with Richardson taking two superb caught and bowled efforts which in doing so made the task for Redbourn somewhat unachievable. Thus, so it proved, the innings was swiftly wrapped up with a run out from Richardson and the points firmly in the pocket of the home side.

A quite fabulous effort in the field from the boys set a real precedent of what we strive to achieve this season. We travel to St Albans this coming week with the aim of bringing another 25 points back to Mill Lane Close.

Congratulations to Chris "CJ" Sargent for his "Player of the match" display!

UTB